Wednesday, March 31, 2010

12:33 PM

State GOP Chair Reince Priebus says the national party's reimbursement for costs incurred by a group of donors at a risque West Hollywood night club was "ridiculous" and defended RNC spending under Chair Michael Steele.

Politico reported Tuesday the firing of an RNC staffer who attended the event at the bondage-themed night club and then expenses the nearly $2,000 tab.

Priebus, the RNC's legal counsel and a Steele supporter, said he was limited in what he could say about the firing because of his position. He said a "rogue request for reimbursement" was submitted for the gathering, which he stressed was not an RNC event.

Steele critics have seized on the latest episode as more fodder for their criticisms of his management skills. Priebus stressed an RNC budget committee keeps tabs on those expenses and has raised no concerns, noting it costs money to raise money when the party doesn't have a majority in either house of congress or the White House.

He said Steele has been able to raise enough money to make the RNC a player in the Virginia and New Jersey guv races last fall and the special election for a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts earlier this year.

"At the end of the day, Michael Steele is going to be judged by the wins he has in the win column," Priebus said. "So far, the RNC and Republicans in Washington, the whole team, is 3-0."